Several weeks had passed since that quiet night.
Kyouko and Haruki had returned to their usual daily routine.
Haruki sat at the dining table, smiling as he stole a glance at Kyouko in the kitchen.
After that night, Kyouko had started to open up, smiling freely, and sometimes Haruki took advantage of the moment to hold her hand. They had grown closer—perhaps too close—but Kyouko still wanted to maintain their boundaries.
The family gathered at the dining table. Haruki looked at Satomi and Satoshi, who were focused only on their tablet and phone, sitting side by side.
"It's rare to see you both home early," Kyouko said, smiling at her husband and daughter.
"We need to rest up," Satoshi replied. "We're heading out of town for work."
"Huh? When?" Kyouko tilted her head in surprise.
"Tomorrow," Satomi said casually, picking up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and put it on her bowl.
"You're just telling me now?"
"It wasn't planned," Satoshi explained, lifting his glass. "Last-minute decision. With all these new projects coming in, we decided to open a new branch."
Kyouko sighed but kept her smile. "I see..."
They ate dinner in silence, with Kyouko sitting next to Haruki.
After dinner, Satoshi set down his chopsticks and turned to Haruki.
"By the way, Haruki," he said casually.
"Yes, father-in-law?" Haruki replied.
"If you're not too busy while we're away... could you keep an eye on your mother-in-law?" he asked, glancing at Kyouko, who quietly sipped her tea. "She doesn't like being alone or dealing with strangers. If she needs groceries or has errands, maybe you could go with her."
"Um... okay," Haruki nodded, surprised but keeping his composure.
"Yeah," Satomi added, smiling as she leaned on Haruki's shoulder. "Don't feel awkward around Mom, okay? She's really easy to get along with once you relax."
Kyouko studied her tea, hiding a small smile. Haruki stole a glance at her. No one else at the table knew how close they'd become.
"All right," Haruki said.
Satomi leaned back in her chair and looked at her mother.
"And Mom, don't be too awkward around Haruki, okay? You know he doesn't have any family left."
"I know," Kyouko replied softly.
Satoshi stood and stretched. "I'll go get everything packed upstairs."
Once he left, Satomi looked back and forth between Kyouko and Haruki.
"What's up with you two?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "Still awkward around each other? Come on, Haruki, you've been living here for months. You should feel totally comfortable with her by now. And Mom! Don't treat Haruki like a stranger. He's your son-in-law too."
Haruki chuckled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah… you're right."
Kyouko chuckled softly. "We'll be fine."
Satomi narrowed her eyes at her mother. "And Mom! Keep an eye on Haruki, okay? Don't let him wander around alone. He might end up with two or three girls flirting with him."
Kyouko let out a soft laugh and glanced at Haruki.
She couldn't deny it.
Haruki was far too handsome. Tall, polite, with that quiet charm most women noticed.
Haruki scratched the back of his head and chuckled softly.
"I don't think I'm that handsome."
"Anyway, don't make Mom worry. Be a good boy while we're gone," Satomi said, her eyes focusing back on her phone.
Once Haruki got to the living room and set up his laptop and earbuds, Satomi leaned closer to her mother in the kitchen.
"Mom, while we're away… try your best to make Haruki comfortable, okay?" she whispered, glancing over her shoulder to make sure he couldn't hear. "He doesn't have family, and honestly, I don't think he has many close friends either."
Kyouko blinked at her daughter, a soft laugh escaping her lips as she rinsed a cup in the sink.
"Come on, Satomi. He's an adult. A big boy now. I think he can manage just fine without me babysitting him."
"I'm not saying babysit him," Satomi replied with a grin, "but you know… just talk to him. Be nice. Treat him like a friend."
Kyouko dried the cup slowly, her gaze drifting toward the living room.
Friend?
She seriously said... be friends with him?
Kyouko glanced at Satomi again.
We've already become more than just friends, Satomi.
I don't think friends hug like that, or let their hands touch a body that's supposed to belong to your father, Satomi.
"Mom! I'm serious!" Satomi puckered her lips.
Kyouko sighed and smiled at her. "I'll see what I can do, but no promises."
"Just make sure he doesn't have an affair outside."
Kyouko chuckled. "Haruki isn't like that, you know."
"But still!"
"Yes, yes… I'll keep an eye on him, okay?"
"Anyway, just do your best, okay? I know you're shy around people, but at least talk to him. Take him to a movie or something. Go shopping together. Haruki's not hard to be around. Just don't let him sit at home staring at his laptop all day."
Kyouko nodded slowly, wiping down the counter even though it was already spotless.
"Alright... I'll see what I can do."
Kyouko stood in the kitchen, looking at Satomi as she went upstairs.
Like a friend...
If only you knew how easy it was to talk to Haruki. How natural it felt to be close to him. Sometimes, when I laughed at his jokes or leaned against him, I nearly forgot I was supposed to keep my distance, setting boundaries between us.
( End Of Chapter )